Popular
Gambling License Jurisdictions
To operate an online
casino, poker room or sports betting gaming site legally you will need
to obtain a gambling license first. The actual gambling license to
operate online gaming site is issued by many governments worldwide,
but the most popular jurisdictions issuing such offshore gambling
licenses are from the Caribbean and Pacific Island Governments such as
Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, St Kitts, Dominica, Curacau and
Vanuatu. When selecting a gambling license jurisdiction, you
should select one with a sensible approach to taxation, and license
cost in combination with a strong licensing law and technical
standards.
Why do you need the
gambling license for your online casino, poker or sports betting site?
It is possible to
make your online gaming business without a license, but most of major
online casinos have license. Here are three main causes why it is
worth to have a gambling license.
- In player's opinion
gambling license guarantees reliability and straight dealing of
the gaming company. Players have more confidence playing in
casinos and poker rooms with license.
- In case of a settlement
account opening banks insist on gambling license and especially
while concluding agreements for receiving payments from bank
cards.
- In many countries
operating a gambling business without a gambling license is
illegal and it may result in termination and criminal
responsibilities.
You can apply for a
gambling license in one of the countries listed below:
Antigua and Barbuda is
a twin-island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua and
Barbuda was one of the first jurisdictions to license interactive
gaming and wagering companies in 1994. The internet gaming companies
are classified as “Financial Institutions” and are subject to all
the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Caribbean Financial Action Task
Force (CFATF) requirements of the jurisdiction.
The licensing and
regulation of online gambling services on the islands of Antigua and
Barbuda is handled by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission's
Division of Gaming. The FRSC Gaming Division awards two types of
licensees: interactive gaming and interactive wagering.
The gaming license is
for casino and poker sites and the wagering license is for sports
betting sites. It's one of the offshore jurisdictions which contain
the biggest number of registered online casinos.
For more information on Antigua's
interactive gaming and wagering laws and regulations see the
following:
Interactive
Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations, as Amended 2007
Control
Systems Guidelines
Social
Responsibility Commitment
The Antiguan gaming
regulations are enforced by the Antiguan Directorate of Offshore
Gaming (the “Directorate”). For more information on obtaining a
gambling license in Antigua and Barbuda please visit www.antiguagaming.gov.ag
Costa Rica is the Mecca
of online casinos and poker rooms because it has the best
infrastructure available in the Caribbean basin - its reliable
telecommunication system, its multilingual workers, and its lack of
online gaming and Internet regulations. A lot of online casinos have
chosen Costa Rica as registration country because of the fact that
there are no direct prohibition on gambling business and no necessity
to receive a special license.
There is no online
gambling license in Costa Rica. A
company incorporated under the laws of Costa Rica can operate an
online gaming business. Companies operate under a "data
processing" license.
Costa Rica is home to
200+ online gambling companies, without a legislation
specifically dealing with gambling over the Internet. Legislation
does exist to restrict land-based gambling, but these laws are not
interpreted as extending to Internet gambling.
The
requirements to obtain a license are:
-
Office
Lease Contract
-
Health
permit
-
Workers
insurance policy
Kahnawake is an Indian
(native American) territory in Quebec, Canada.
The Kahnawake Gaming
Commission is an organization that licenses a large number of online
casinos and online poker rooms. The Kahnawáke Gaming Commission was
established in June 1996. The Commission is empowered to regulate and
control gaming and related activities within and from the Mohawk
Territory of Kahnawáke. These gaming activities are regulated in
accordance with the highest principles of honesty and integrity.
The fee for the initial application is
C$15,000 plus an annual license fee of C$10,000
Visit http://www.kahnawake.com/gamingcommission
for more information.
Panama
Panama
adopted regulations governing the licensing of electronic games of
chance and wagering activities in late 2002. Internet gaming companies
domiciled in Panama enjoy complete tax exemptions. Customs duty
concessions are given for imports needed to carry on Internet gaming.
As long as the income made from Internet operations are to
jurisdictions outside of Panama, there is no income tax, withholding
tax, sales tax or VAT taxes. Offshore companies, such as online gaming
companies are not subject to foreign exchange control. There is also a
new call center incentive and training program that boast numerous
qualified bilingual workers.
The
regulations allow master licenses to be granted that are valid for up
to seven years upon payment of a license fee of US$40,000. There is
also an annual license fee of US$20,000. Master license holders may
grant sub-licenses, which are subject to the annual fee. Applicants
must pay all investigation costs incurred in the processing of the
application. Operators must comply with money-laundering regulations
and notify the Financial Analysis Unit of any suspicious transactions
above US$10,000. An account must be maintained to guarantee payment to
winners. Until now a very few companies have applied for the license,
mainly due to the huge paper work and the cost of the gambling
license.
Antilles Netherlands
and Curacao
Within the Netherlands Antilles,
Curacao offers gambling licenses for online casinos, poker rooms and
sportsbooks. Gambling licenses are available through the Department of
Justice or through sub-licensing from an existing gambling license
holders. Licenses from the Department of Justice last for two years.
Gibraltar
All gaming operations in Gibraltar
require licensing under the Gambling Ordinance 2005. Remote Gambling
licenses, including for telephone and internet betting, are issued by
the Government of Gibraltar.
Only companies with a proven track
record in gaming, of reputable standing and with a realistic business
plan can be granted gambling licenses. Gibraltar gaming licenses are
generally difficult to obtain.
For more information on obtaining a
gambling license in Gibraltar visit http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/internet_gaming/internet_gaming.htm
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man
specifically encourages the location of online gambling businesses:
"The Isle of Man Government actively encourages the development
of gambling and e-gaming business on the Isle of Man. It remains
committed to delivering a stable government and strong regulatory
environment, supported by a wide range of attractive Business
Benefits."
The Commission requires
independent testing of software to ensure games offered are not rigged
and will make accurate payment of player winnings. Games may only be
offered by licensed, corporate operators. All operators must also
establish bond arrangements to guarantee players will be paid in the
event the licensee ceased operations for any reason.
Fees
- GBP35,000 per annum
- GBP1000 one off administration fee
which is non-refundable
Duty
- for gross gaming yield not exceeding
£20 million per annum 1.5%
- for gross gaming yield of more than
£20 million per annum, but not exceeding £40 million per annum
0.5%
- for gross gaming yield exceeding £40
million per annum 0.1%
For more information on how to obtain a
gambling license in the Isle of Man please visit
http://www.gov.im/gambling/licensing
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